The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
